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Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - 6/7

The Inspiron 11z netbook is an upgraded version of the Mini 10v and looks almost identical. It has a bit of an identity crisis though. We’ve spoken before about how the line between netbooks and notebooks is blurring more and more. The 11z doesn’t have an Atom processor, but a 1.3GHz Intel 743 processor with 2GB RAM and the difference in computing power shows. That’s the base model specification, but the nice thing about Dell is they let you completely customize your machine. So you can go for the Intel dual core SU4100 processor or a bottle-green lid if you so desire.

The base model costs $379, but with upgrades you might go upto $550-$600. Models with souped up specs are more notebook than netbook. Will this be the way of mobile computers in the future? – 11-12 inch machines with interchangeable specs that let them take advantage of both worlds. And will customers levitate towards the customization option, or will they prefer to remain spoon-fed? The performance of the Dell Inspiron 11z will give us a glimpse to the answers.

Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - Top Features

• Customization Options – It’s nice that you can choose what you want. Pricey though. Colors other than black cost $40 more, custom lid designs go upto $100+, processor upgrade costs $75 and upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium is $30 (base model features Vista). There are more tweaks available as well.
• Nice keyboard – The board is responsive with full-sized keys and hardly any flex.
• Could be a cheap primary computer option – With a few upgrades, this could be a sub $500 primary computer with its decently sized screen and resolution. It wouldn’t be superfast, but would meet most people’s computing requirements, and be portable at the same time.

Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - Drawbacks and things to remember

• No access panels – There is no easy way to replace any components and changes will require strip-offs and mods.
• Battery juts out – The 3-cell battery is integrated into the unit, but the 6-cell version is the largest jut-out we’ve seen till date.
• Touchpad – The pad features the same integrated bottom-side mouse buttons which we find annoying to use. Others have not minded it that much though, so see what suits you.

Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - Ratings

1. Price and Value for Money – 0.75 Star. The base model starts at $379 which would be excellent except for the Vista OS and 3-cell battery. After that, you pretty much get what you pay for.
2. Speed and Performance – 0.75 Star. The Inspiron 11z is a nippy little performer with its Celeron processor and Intel 4500MHD graphics chipset. Performance is within a lower end-notebook range. Gets a cut only because of Vista.
3. Screen – 1.0 Star. – The higher resolution is great and images have good color reproduction and even-lighting.
4. Keyboard, Touchpad, Useability – 0.75 Star. The touchpad draws a few points away from this netbook.
5. Portability and Battery Life – 0.75 Star. It’s quite light, and the battery lasts about 3 hours with a 3-cell and 6 with a 6-cell.
   
6. Looks and Design – 1.o Star. The Mini 10v is a solidly built netbook, with a decent design and nice customization options.
   
7. Connectivity and Extensibility – 1.0 Star. The HDMI port is a nice touch and useable. Pretty much up to standards with the other ports.

That gives the Dell Inspiron 11z a rating of 6 out of 7 stars.

Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - Our Recommendation

This is a nice offering from Dell and it can be picked up at $400 as a base netbook option or with some upgrades for a higher price as a portable notebook option. What we like is the power Dell’s given the customer. Unfortunately, sometimes the customer just wants these things decided for them! Anyhow we strongly recommend this netbook.

The Dell Inspiron Mini 11z is available for $379 as a base price and $484 with 4GB RAM on amazon.

Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - What have buyers said on Amazon?

Pros:

1. “Probably the most power and performance that you can get in anything under 13″, and for less than $500!!!”
2. “I was looking for a mini, but when I found this, i was blown away with the components i’m getting, and not sacrificing the size i wanted in the mini.”
3. “Streaming or stored video plays bautifully due to the dual core CPU, good video processor, and high definition screen”

Cons:

1. “Only faults are the lack of a VGA output and the fingerprint gathering glossy black finish.”

Dell Inspiron 11z Netbook Review - Technical Specifications

• OS: Windows Vista (Windows 7 Home Premium for $30)
• CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Celeron 743 (1.3GHz Intel dual core SU4100 for $75)
• RAM: 2GB RAM (4GB option for $120)
• Storage Space: 160GB SATA HDD (250GB for $25 and 320GB for $75)
• Screen: 11.6 inch 1366 x 768, Intel 4500MHD graphics chipset
• Connectivity: 2 USB ports, 1 USB power port, Ethernet jack, Headphone & microphone slot, HDMI, 3-in-1 card reader, 802.11b/g/n WLAN
• Battery: 3 cell Li-Ion battery (6-cell for $35)
• Weight: 3 lbs

Filed under: Dell Netbook Review